Neha Marda turns 22 - Article

Neha Marda turns 22

Neha Marda, who plays Gehna in Balika Vadhu, turns 22 today. We caught up with her on the eve of her birthday to find out her plans:

"I have to be at the shoot at 9.30am," she says. "My friends had planned a surprise party for me tonight. I was out of town and my flight was supposed to land in the night, but I came back earlier. When I came home, my whole house was decorated with balloons, chocolates and flowers. There were a few gifts also. So, I got to know that they were throwing me a party."

Neha hopes her unit members will remember her birthday too. "This is a Balika Vadhu tradition; they call us for the shoot, order two big cakes and, after cutting the cake, they'll smear it on the birthday boy or girl. They also get a few snacks. They usually do not forget birthdays."

Neha is originally from Kolkata, where her parents still live. "When I was a kid, my parents would wake me up early. We would visit the temple, perform a havan at home and then
distribute prasad. In the evening, I would wear new dress and have dinner with my family," she says. "Till at the age of nine or so, we went out as a family; after that I started going out with my friends. Since I'm in the habit of going to a temple on my birthday, this year too I will visit the Iskon temple at Gokuldham. I wanted to go to Siddhivinayak but won't be able to because of my shoot."

For her birthday, Neha wanted an iPhone, which her friend gifted her. "My parents usually give me money and ask me to buy something, but this year they have sent me some gifts. I haven't opened them yet; I'm sure my mother would have sent a salwar-kameez as she likes to see me in traditional clothes, and my father must have sent me an electronic item." Neha also likes to preserve greeting cards that she has received since childhood. "One of my best and most precious gifts was this frame my friend specially made it for me. It has my picture carved on wood."

Neha misses her family, but says, "My friends make up for it as they never leave me alone on my birthday. I am the youngest daughter of the family and I was born after many mannats, so everyone pampers me. But my friends too are very sweet and don't let me feel lonely in Mumbai." Neha's friends gave her a pleasant surprise last year too. She recollects: "My show Ek Thi Rajkumari had gone off air and I had a lot of free time. I thought my friends had forgotten my birthday. At 11pm, I was alone at home and quite depressed. One of my friends called and asked me to come over to her place to bring in my birthday. I refused initially but she forced me to and I agreed. I went there and found her house fully decorated, everything was gathered, and it was a big surprise for me."

The actress says she has the typical personality traits of a Virgo. "I think you need to be strong to live alone. I am confident too and that is why I can read my dialogues in front of such senior actors. Giving retakes also takes a lot of guts. Plus, I always give my best to whatever I do."

We hope she has a great day and year ahead.

http://www.indya.com/news/newsDetails.aspx?xfile=2009/September/News_20090923_109

thnx 4 d article

Many happy returns Neha..